Local man with learning disabilities touchdown with Kiwi rugby star

Support Worker Ziggy, Ian and Kiwi rugby star Sonny Williams

1 More Image(s) In Gallery

A photograph of a local man with learning disabilities pictured with his sporting hero has gone viral after the big hearted star shared it with his 247k Instagram followers.

Ian Davies, from Rochdale met the New Zealand rugby star, Sonny Williams after visiting the team’s training grounds in Leigh on Tuesday 26 November, with his support worker Ziggy Ahmed of Alternative Futures Group.

After beating hosts England at Wembley on Saturday 23 November to the finals of the Rugby League World Cup 2013, news reported that the New Zealand team broke ‘English hearts’. But not for Ian, after meeting up with rugby star Sonny Bill Williams, a player known for his ‘big hits’ and big heart.

After getting his photograph taken with Sonny, the rugby star proudly shared the image to his 247k Instagram followers with the caption:

“My man 'Ian' giving me a Mike Tyson autobiography as a gift. Thanks brother looking forward to playing your Wigan warriors next year.”

The picture of Ian and Sonny soon received over 14,000 ‘likes’ from his followers as messages of support poured in, with the official Rugby League World Cup for England and Wales 2013 sharing it on their Twitter page:

“You may know Sonny Bill Williams for his big hits and devastating charges, but there's a warm and gentle side to this giant of the game. While playing for the Kiwis, Sonny has struck up a very special friendship with a dedicated fan who has travelled hundreds of miles in the company of his Carer to see his hero play and train at #RLWC2013. The two caught up at the Kiwis' training session in Leigh yesterday afternoon, where Ian presented his new pal with a gift which Sonny was so pleased with that he chose to share the moment through his Instagram account.”

And it didn’t stop there. Wigan Warriors tweeted their support to their 33,000 followers saying: “Thanks to Ian for the support #TrueWarrior.“